Loose-leaf binder



Sept. 9, 1941. (3. W. VOGT ETAL 2,255,137

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Fiied Jan. 21, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENT R Clarence Vayf B .E'nol). La/zao ATTORNEYS Sept. 9, 1941. c w. VQGT EYTAL LOOSE-LEAF BINDER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 21, 1939 INVENTOR KW, 2. m W M A MM N0 p 9 v, C.W.VOGT ETAL 2,255,137

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Filed Jan. 21, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Clarence W 1 035" Ezzo L. 01250 ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 9, 1941 LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Clarence W. Vogt, Norwalk, Conn, and Eino E.

Lakso, Fitchburg, Mass; said Lakso assignor to said Vogt Application January 21, 1939, Serial No. 252,106

22 Claims.

It has been proposed to provide a loose leaf binder with two pivotally supported opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs, movable'endwise in opposite directions across the back, to afford extra room at the inner edges of the prong retained sheets in open position of the binder. This permits the sheets to lie flatter for easy reference, and permits said sheets to be separated into two batches for retention on the two rows of prongs respectively. This separation allows the prongs to be swung into upright position with respect to'the open covers for removal or insertion of the sheets.

With a binder of this construction, if the covers are inadvertently or accidentally closed before the prongs are restored to normal position across the back of said hinder, the sheets retained in the upstanding prongs are apt to be torn or otherwise damaged, and the mechanism guiding the prongs in their endwise expanding movement unduly stressed.

One object of the present invention is to provide means for locking the covers in open position, while the prongs are in upright position with respect to their respective covers. Thus theback and covers form a rigid or stiii support, so that the binder may be carried from place to place, held in the lap, or otherwise supported or handled without danger or injury to the sheets.

Another object is to provide locking means of the type above referred to, which is automatically released when the upstanding prongs are swung across the back of the binder in the same plane, to permit the covers to be closed.

Another object is to provide means for con-.-

above objectives are attained, without interfering with the opening or closing movement of either cover independently of the other, while the prongs extend across the back.

means for securing various fixed metal parts of the mechanisms above referred to to the enclosing casing of the binder.

Various other objects, features and advan-,;

tages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of merely one embodiment of the invention, and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings, in whichz Fig. l is a perspective of a form of binder,

.40 As a feature of the present invention, the

- Another object is to provide new and improved t embodying our invention, and shown without the binding, and with one coverin open position,

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the binder with both covers in open position, p

Fig. 3 is an inside face View of the empty binder in open position, with the prongs locked across the back, the binding being eliminated for the sake of clarity,

Fig. 4 is an enlargement of the central portion of the View shown in Fig.3, 1

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 is a section similar to that of Fig. 5 but showing the prongs in intermediate pivotal position, 1

Fig. 7 is a section similar to that of Fig. 5,"but

but showing the covers in closed position, 1

Fig. 9 is a section taken on line 99-of Fig. 4, but on a larger-scale,

Fig. 10 is a section similar to that of Fig. 9, but showing the prong locking means released to permit the prongs to be swung into upright position with respect to their open covers,

Fig. 11 is a'section takenon line ll-ll of Fig. 4,

Fig. 12 is a perspective of the hinge slide, forming part of the means for locking the binder in open position,

V Fig. 13 is a perspective of the toggle lever forming part of the mechanism of the present invention,

Fig. 14 is a perspective of the toggle bracket,

forming part of the mechanism of the present invention,

Fig. 15 is an inside view of the opened empty binder, showing the binding with certain fixed parts of its mechanisms secured thereto,

Figs. 16, 1'7, 18 and 19 are sectionstaken on lines l5--l6, llll, l8-l8 and [9-49 ofFig. 15 respectively, but shown on a larger scale, and

Fig. 20 is an enlargement of part of the section of Fig. 19.

In the specific form of the invention shown, the binder includes a fiat rigid non-bendable back I 0, desirably of comparatively thick cardboard, and a pair of covers II, also desirably of thick cardboard, and hinged to the respective side edges of said back as shown-in Figs. 15, 16 and 1'7, and as will be hereinafter described. These covers H are adapted in closed position of the binder to extend at right angles to the back I II as shown in Fig.8, and in open position to extend substantially in the plane thereof as shown in Figs. 2, 5, 6 and 7.

The binding forming the facings for the back l3 and the covers II, and the hinge connections between said back and said covers are not shown in Figs. 1 to 11 for the sake of clarity, but are shown in Figs. 15 to 20.

Pivotally carried respectively by the covers H is a pair of parallel prong holders or frames [4 (Figs. 1 to 11), each having a longitudinal angle bar section I5, and a pair of end flanges l5, extending transversely thereof, and pivotally connected at I! to the inner sides of brackets l8 respectively. Each bracket [8 extends transversely of and is rigidly connected to its respective cover II, and for that purpose has a base flange 20, seated on said cover and afiixed thereto in a manner to be hereinafter described.

Amxed to the leg l5a of each frame bar [5 is a row of parallel straight sheet retaining prongs 23 of equal length, two in each row being shown, extending transversely of said leg, and staggered with respect to and overlapping the prongs 23 of the opposed row connected to the other frame bar l5.

If desired, a pair of aligned short prongs 24 may be affixed to the centers of the bars l5 respectively, these prongs being parallel to and in the same plane as the prongs 23, and being of such length that they do not overlap in closed position of the binder.

The length of the prongs 23 is such, that when the covers H are in closed position as shown in Fig. 8, each of these prongs will extend almost the full distance between the covers. In this closed position, the bar legs l5a will face each other, and will be closely adjacent to their respective covers ll, while the prongs 23 and 24 will lie in a single plane parallel to the back It. Also in this position of the binder, the brackets l8 will have their pivotal mountings l'l-spaced inwardly from the side edges of the back l0 asshown.

As the covers II are swung into open position, they will carry the brackets l8 with them, thereby causing their pivotal mountings IT to move outwardly from the side edges of the back In, until said covers are in the plane of said back as shown in Fig. 5. As these pivotal mountings H are moved outwardly from their original positions shown in Fig. 8, they will carry the prong frames 14 outwardly with respect to the side edges of the back l0, thereby causing transverse movement of said frames apart, and corresponding separating movement of the two rows of prongs. This operation is not sufiicient to move the two rows of prongs 23 beyond overlapping relationship, so that while these prongsare held downwardly in a single plane parallel to the back Iii, the sheets will be retained on said prongs and can be turned between the covers.

As a feature of the present invention, the two prong frames M are inter-connected for correlated simultaneous swinging movement from the position shown in Fig. 5, with the prongs 23 and 24 extending across the back to an upstanding position with respect to the covers as shown in Fig. 7. For that purpose, each of the prong frames l4 has a lug 30 near the center thereof, inclined inwardly towards'the base It at an angle of about 45 with said base, when the prongs extend across the back in the position shown in Fig. 5. Pivotally connected to theouter side of this lug 38 by means of a pivot pin 3| is a hinge leaf 32, having a pintle hinge connection 33 with the outer end of a connector bar 34. The connection 33 extends at about 45 with the inner edge of its respective frame bar [5, to form a miter hinge connection between the corresponding bar 34 and hinge leaf 32. The inner end section of each connector bar 34 slides in a guide 35, which in the specific form shown comprises two channel members 36, secured together back to back by soldering or the like, and slidably receiving the two opposed connector bars 34 respectively. The common center line of the two pivot pins 3| is desirably in the medial plane of the binder, and the two connector bars 34 are offset from opposite sides of the hinge connections 33 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, to position these bars in exact alignment with their respective guide channels 36.

As the result of the miter hinge connections 33 between the connector bars 34 and the hinge leaves 32, a swinging movement of either one of the prong frames l4 about its pivotal mountings I! will cause a turning of its respective connector bar about a longitudinal axis, and the slide movement of said bar in the guide 35. This turning actionis transmitted to the guide 35, and in turn to the other connector bar 34, to cause swinging movement of the other prong frame l4 about its pivotal mountings I! in unison with the one being manipulated. This turning movement of the connector bars 34 with their guide 35 is indicated in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, illustrating the down, intermediate and upstanding positions respectively of the prongs 23 and 24.

In order to hold the guide 35 against sagging and against endwise movement without interfering with the turning movement thereof, there is provided a brace plate 31, having at one end on opposite sides thereof a pair of lugs 38, extending loosely into a pair of hooks or eyelets 4E! respectively, formed near the middle of the rear side of a gib plate 4|, fixed to the inner face of the back Ill in a manner hereinafter to be described. At the other end, the brace plate 31 is similarly provided with a pair of lugs 42, extending loosely in a pair of hooks or eyelets 43, which are formed in an angle clip 44, soldered or otherwise secured to the inner rear corner of the guide 35 as shown'in Figs. 4, 9 and 10. The hinge connections at the ends of the brace plate 31 formed by this construction permit free turning of the guide 35, resulting from swinging movement of the prong frames l4 about their pivot'al'supports ll.

As the covers I l are moved from a closed to an open position, the sheets A' are flattened out as shown'in Fig. 2, causing them to apply a leverage to the prongs 23 and 24, tending to swing them upwardly about their pivotal supports into the position shown in Fig. 7.

Releasable means are provided for holding the prongs 23 and 24 in a single plane parallel to the back H], and to confine the movement of said prongs endwise as the binder is opened and closed. In the specific form shown this holding means comprises a lever 50 in the form of a plate, having its forward section of substantial width, and its rear section desirably of reduced width. This lever 55 is fulcrumed near its rear section for angular movement, and for that purpose, a plate 5!, partially extending in an opening 52 in the gib plate 4|, and fixed to said gib plate by any suitable means such as rivets 53, has a pair of hooks 54 at the sides of its rear end, folded loosely over the shoulders 55 on said plate to form a pivot support therefor. The lever 50 has struck out therefrom a tab 53, from which a tongue is cut out and bent rearwardly from the plane thereof to form a detent. This detent 51 cooperates with a lock lug 58, in the form of an angle piece, secured to and embracing the forward inner corner of the guide 35, and having a forwardly extending lip 60, underlying the detent 51 in raised position of the lever 50 as shown in Fig. 9. In this position, the prongs 23 and 24 will extend in a single plane parallel to the back, and since the guide is held against turning or outward movement by the abutment of the locking lip 68 against the inner edge of the detent 51, these prongs will be locked in this parallel position during their endwise movement.

' When the lever is angularly depressed into the position shown in Fig, 10, the detent 51 is moved out of engagement with the locking lip 60, thereby permitting swinging movement of the prongs 23 and 24 from the down position shown in Fig. 5 to upstanding position shown in Fig. '7.

' As a feature of the present invention, the lever 59 has a snap action between the two extreme positions shown in Figs. 9 and 10 respectively, so that said lever will be retained in either one of said p itions until it has been changed over to the other extreme position. For that purpose, the lever 56 forms part of a toggle, comprising a toggle link 65, having its forward edge pivotally retained in a pair of spaced channels 66 formed in a bracket 61, integral with the plate 5!.

The rectangular opening 68 in the lever 59, formed by the bending of the tab 56 out of the plane thereof is approximately the shape of the toggle link 55, but slightly larger to permit free passage of said link therethrough, and the section 10 of said lever between the rear edge ll of said opening and the hook engaged shoulders of said lever, constitutes the other toggle link. The rear edge 12 of the toggle link is Square cut, and butt joined to the forward edge ll of the toggle link 1.9, which is also square cut, so that said links are held in edge alignment during toggle action.

In order to assure against relative edge displacement of the two toggle links 65 and 1B, the

forward edge of the link i0 is upset to form two spaced ears 13, which are offset inwardly to underlie the rear edge of the link 65, while the rear edge of the latter link is similarly offset near its midle to form an ear 14, offset inwardly and underlying the forward edge of the link 10, as shown in Figs. 4, 9, 10 and 13.

In the position shown in Fig. 9, with the lever 50 elevated, and the prongs 23 and 24 locked across the back 19, the angle between the inneror lower sides of the two toggle links 65 and H! is less than 180. As the lever is depressed towards the position shown in Fig. 10, the two links 65 and 7B are forced towards co-planar relationship against yielding resistance of their pivotal supports. After these links 65 and 1G reach slightly beyond this co-planar position, they will automatically snap into reverse angular relationship. In this position, the angle between the inner sides of the toggle links 65 and T9 is more than 180 as shown in Fig. 10. The opening 68 in the lever 59 permits said lever to be slipped over the toggle link 55 without interference, during the angular movement of said lever.

As a feature of the'pre'sent invention, when the prongs '23 and 24 are swung from upright position shown in Fig. '7 to down position shown in Fig. 5, the depressed lever 58 is automatically snapped into elevated position shown in Fig. 9, and said prongs locked in said position for endwise move- 'ment.

mo vement of the pivotal mountings l1.

lever 58 has an outwardly and rearwardly inclined section 89 beyond the shoulders 55, terminating at its rear end in an inwardly and rearwardly inclined apron 8|, and having a tongue 82, struck out therefrom and extending outwardly to form a detent. The rear end of the angle piece 58 has an inwardly and rearwardly inclined lip 83', adapted to press against the lever section as the prongs 23 and 24 are swung downwardly across the back m, from the position of the guide 35 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 10 to the position shown in full. This pressing movement of the lip 83 against the lever section 89;, causes the angular elevation of the lever 50 to its original position shown in Fig. 9, in which position the prongs 23 and 24 will be locked for endw se movement upon opening and, closing of the binder in the manner already described. The inward movement of the prongs 23 and 24 beyond the parallel position shown in Fig. 5 is prevented by the engagement of the lip 83 with the detent 82, and the abutment of the rear edge of the apron against the gib plate 4!, as shown in Fig. 9.

As another feature of the present invention, means are provided for locking the binder in open position while the prongs 23 and 24 are in upright position with respect totheir respective covers. In the specific form shown, this locking means comprises a pair of opposed slides 90, hinged at their outer ends to the inner edges of the frame bars l5 respectively, and guided for slide movement in the gib plate 4|. The hinge connection between each slide 90 and its corresponding frame bar 15 comprises a pair of spaced pintle engaging sections 9!, desirably formed integral with the inner edge of the bar, and mating respectively with a pair of pintle engaging sections 92 at the outer end of said slide to embrace pintles 93. These pintles 93 are in axial alignment with the pivotal mountings I! of their respective prong frame l4, so that said frame is free to swing about said mountings without interference from the slides 99.

.The slides 90 are desirably formed of sheet metal, with the base section 95 adapted to be guided over the gib plate 4 l, and a pair of spaced hinge leaves 96, extending obliquely upwardly and outwardly from said base section, and terminating at their outer ends in the hinge sections 92 as shown in Fig. 12. In order to retain these slides 90 for slide movement over the gib plate 4|, the side edges of said plate are reversely bent inwardly to form guide channels 91 for the corresponding side edges of said slides.

The transverse movement of the prong frames 24, resulting from the opening or closing of the covers H as above described, is transmitted to theslides 99, so that the latter move over the' gib plate 4|.

The swinging movement of the covers I! into open or closed position causes angular movement of the brackets l8, and corresponding angular If fixed, unyielding hinge connections were provided between the covers I l and the back Hi, this angular movement of the pivotal mountings I! would unduly stress the slides 90, and is apt to jam them in the gib plate 41. However, in the specific form shown, the hinge connections between the covers 2 I and the back 59 are flexible, and formed by the fabric binding, as shown in Figs. 15, 16 and 17 and as will be hereinafter described, to permit relative displacement of the hinge edges of said For that purpose, the rear end of the covers out of opposed registry. This construction causes the hinge connections to give or yield as the covers II are opened or closed, so that no undesirable stress is transmitted to the slides 90 as the result of this movement.

If the hinge connection between the covers I I and the back III is of the piano or other rigid type, the angular movement of the pivotal mountings II can be compensated for by making these mountings of the slide type, as described in our co-pending application Serial No. 240,492, filed November 15, 1938.

Each slide 90 is provided near its forward section with an upstanding flange 98, which is just hi h enough to ride underneath the raised lever 5t, during opening or closing movements of the covers. The lengths of the Slides 9i) are such, that in open position of the binder shown in Figs. 3 to '7; the inner edges I of their flanges 98 are spaced outwardly a short distance from the cor- L responding side edges IllI of the lever 58. This spacing of the inner edges of the two slides 99 in open position of the covers II permits the lever to be depressed to the position shown in Fig. 10. The depressed lever 58, being in the path of slide travel of the flanges 9B, acts as a lock for positively preventing closing of the covers I I. In this position, the covers II can only be closed after thelever 5D has been automatically snapped into elevated position shown in Fig. 9 by the U swinging of the prongs 23 and 24 across the back It. In this position, the flanges 98 are free to slide underneath the lever 50, so that the covers may be closed without interference.

In Figs. to is shown our new and improved means for binding the back I0 and covers II, and for securing thereto various fixed parts of the mechanisms above described, without resort to the usual tongue and slot connections, which cut into the binding, and which interfere with effective passage of the blank binder through the usual glue applying or pressure rolls during binding operations.

For securing each bracket I8 to the inner side of its respective cover II, the base 20 of said bracket has a pair of cylindrical flanges I09 (Figs. 15, 19 and 20), extending snugly about half way into corresponding holes II 0 in said cover, and terminating in radially inwardly extending annular rims I I I respectively. On the outer face of the covers II, opposite each of the bracket bases 29 is a binding plate I I2, provided with a pair of cylindrical flanges I I3, each extending in its corresponding hole III] with a snug fit, and terminating in an annular radial rib H4, the outer edge section II5 of which is spun or otherwise crimped over the corresponding rim I II of the bracket base 26.

The gib plate II is similarly secured to the inner face of the back III, and for that purpose it has a pair of cylindrical flanges I I6, extending snugly into corresponding holes III in said back, and terminating in radial inwardly extending annular rims I I8 respectively. On the outer face of the back It opposite the gib plate III is a bind ing plate I I9, having a pair of cylindrical flanges I23, each extending in its corresponding cover hole III with a snug fit, and terminating in a rim I2 I, spun or otherwise crimped over the corresponding rim I I8 of said gib plate.

For binding operation, the binding plates H2 and H9 are first applied to the bare cuter faces oftheir respective boards I0 and II, and held thereon by the frictional retention of the cylindrical flanges H3 and I2I] in the holes IIII and II I of said boards. In order to present a continuous surface on the outer face of the covers I I, there is glued onto the bare face of each of said covers a filler sheet of paper I23, substantially the same thickness as that of the .binding plate II 2, and having cut-outs to receive said plates. Similarlyglued to the outer bare face of the back II) is a filler sheet of paper I24, substantially the same thickness as that of the binding plate I I9, and having cut-outs to receive said plate. Over the continuous surface formed by these filler sheets I23 and I24 and the binding plates I I2 and I I9 is glued an outer flexible facing sheet I25 of suitable binding material such as Fabrikoid. This facing sheet I25 is made to extend loosely across the hinge gaps I25 between adjoining side edges of the back I0 and the covers II, and its border section I2'I is folded over and adhesively secured to the inner face of said back and covers.

Over the inner bare face of the back I 0 and over the inner edge sections of the covers II is adhesively secured a flexible facing sheet I30 of suitable binding material. This sheet I30 extends with slack across the hinge gaps I26, the loose sections of the two facing sheets I25 and I38 in said gaps being adhesively secured together at ISI as shown in Figs. 16 and 17, to form loose hinge connections. As already described, these loose hinge connections permit limited yield of the covers II out of edge registry with the back It), for the purpose of confining the movement of the prong frames I4 to a translatory one during opening and closing of the binder.

The portions of the inner faces of the covers II between the facing sheet I30 and the border sections I2! of the facing sheets I25, are covered with sheets I32 of binding material.

The adhesive application of the facing sheets I25, I38 and I32 as described is accomplished efficiently and expeditiously, since there are no projecting-parts which interfere with free passage of the blank binder throughout glue or pressure applying rollers.

The binder formed as described is usually made in a bindery, and then shipped to the plant where the operating mechanisms above described are mounted. The elimination of all projecting parts in the binders as formed in the bindery, permits these binders to be easily stacked for shipment to the assembling plant.

At the assembling plant, the brackets I8 and the'gib plate GI are mounted over the facing sheet I30, with their respective cylindrical flanges I59 and I I 6 passing through apertures in said sheet, and into the holes I I0 and III of the covers II and back It). At this phase of the assembling operation, the edge sections of the rims I I4 and I2I of the binding plates H2 and H9 are cylindrical, so that they serve as centering means for the flanges I09 and I I6 of the brackets I8 and gib plate II. After these brackets IB and gib plate II are positioned in place as described, these edge sections of the rims H4 and I2I are spun over the edges of the rims I II and H8 of said brackets and gib plate for the permanent mounting of these latter members.

Although the operation of the binder is believed apparent from the foregoing description, it is herein summarized briefly.

In closed position of the binder shown in Fig. 8, the prongs 23 and 24 extend in a single plane parallel to the back I9. When the covers are opened into the plane of the back into the position shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the prong frames I4 movement of the prongs 23 and 2.4. During this self-expansion of the binder, the guide 35 is held against outward and'turning movement by the engagement of the lip 60 with the detent 51, so that the prong frames 14 are held against turning movement about their pivotal mountings l1, and the prongs 23 and 24 are confined to endwise movement. At this point, it should be noted that either cover I I may be opened independently of the other, to cause Corresponding transverse movement of the respective prong frame M without affecting the other prong frame.

When it is desired to insert or remove a sheet,

the sheet pack of the open binder is divided at the section where it is desired toinsert or remove the sheet. In order to gain access to the lever 50, the sheets are divided a sufiicient distance to clear the overlapping ends of the prongs 23, and the lever 58 is depressed into the position shown in Fig. 10. Since the lever is located at the center of the binder below the inner edges of the sheets A, it is accessible for operation only when the binder is open, and only after the sheets have been divided into two widely separated batches on the prongs of the respective rows. This assures against tearing of the sheets around their prong receiving apertures, caused by the accidental upward swinging of the two released prong rows apart before the separation of the sheet pack as described.

Since the lever 50 at its forward end extends across a substantial portion of the width of the back, and since the lever is accessible for operation by the separation of the sheet pack at any section above said lever, this construction permits separation of the sheet pack at that sec-tionwhere it is desired to remove or insert a sheet, even though said section may be near either end of the pack.

The depression of the lever 50 releases the guide 35, and permits the prongs 23 and 24 to be swung into upright position shown in Fig. 7, in which position the sheets A may be removed or inserted. In this depressed position, the forward end of the lever 50 will lie in the path of slide movement of the two flanges 98 on the slides 90,

so that the open covers II are locked against closing. This permits the handling of the opened binder, without accidental closing of the covers, which might cause tearing of the sheets. 7

When the prong frames l4 are again moved into the position shown in Fig. 5 about their pivotal mountings ll, the lip 83 connected to the slide 35, sliding over the lever section 80 will cam said lever into upward position shown in Fig. 9. At the same time the lip 60 will be latched into locking position with the detent 51 as shown in Fig. 9. In this position the prongs 23 and 24 will be held in a single plane substantially parallel to the back In, and since the flanges 98 of the slides 93 are below the lever 50, they will ride freely under said lever when the covers II are closed.

As many changes could be made in the above construction, and many apparently widely dif-, ferent embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in' the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

I. A loose leaf binder comprising a pair of hinged covers, movable sheet retaining prongs, releasable means holding said prongs against movement in one direction, and means for automatically locking said covers in open position upon release of said holding means.

2. A loose leaf binder comprising a pair of hinged covers, movable sheet retaining prongs, releasable means holding said prongs against movement in one direction, means for automatically locking said covers in open position upon release of said holding means, and means for automatically releasing said locking means upon movement of said prongs in the opposite direction into a predetermined position.

3. A loose leaf binder comprising a back, a pair of covers hinged thereto, pivotally mounted sheet retaining prongs normally extending across said back, releasable means for holding said prongs in said position, and means for automatically locking said covers in open position upon release of said holding means.

4. A loose leaf binder comprising a back, a pair of covers hinged thereto, pivotally mounted sheet retaining prongs normally extending across said back, means for locking said covers in open position while said prongs are in upright position with respect to said covers, and means for automatically releasing said locking means upon return pivotal movement of said prongs to normal position.

5. A loose leaf binder comprising a back, a pair of covers hinged to said back, a pair of spaced slides connected to said covers respectively for movement towards or away from each other upon movement of said covers towards closed or open positions respectively, and a member secured to and carried by the inner side of said back and disposed between said slides in stop engagement therewith when said covers are in open position, for positively locking said covers in this position.

6. A loose leaf binder comprising a pair of hinged covers, members connected to said covers respectively, and slidable towards or away from each other upon movement of said covers towards closed or open positions respectively, and a lever lying between said members in the path of slide movement thereof in one angular position of said lever, to lock said covers in open position, and in another angular position being out of said path to permit the closing of said covers.

7. A loose leaf binder comprising a back, a pair of covers hinged thereto, sheet retainin prongs normally extending across said back, and movable into upright position with respect to said covers, means for holding said prongs in said normal position, a lever operable to release said holding means, to permit said prongs to be moved into said upright position, and means operable when said lever is in releasing position for locking said covers in open position.

8. A loose leaf binder comprising a back, a pair of covers hinged thereto, sheet retaining prongs normally extending across said back, and movable into upright position with respect to said 'position to release said holding means, and

simultaneously block slide movement of said slides whereby said covers are locked in open position, said lever in another angular position being out of said path to permit closing of said covers. I

9. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder comprising, a pair of substantially parallel transversely movable prong bar frames, sheet retaining prongs secured to said frames, a pair of opposed slides mounted for movement with said frames respectively, and a lever, in one angular position lying between said slides in the path of slide movement thereof, to lock said slides against slide movement towards each other, and in another angular position being out of said path to permit the slide movement of said slides towards each other.

10. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder comprising a pair of opposed pivotally mounted prong frames, movable towards and away from each other, sheet retaining prongs connected to said frames, means for holding said prongs substantially in a single plane during movement of said frames towards and away from each other, means for releasing said holding means to ermit swinging movement of said frames, when said frames are in their furthest position apart, and means for automatically looking said frames in said latter position against movement towards each other, upon release of said holding means.

11. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder comprising a pair of opposed pivotally supported prong frames, movable towards and away from each other, substantially straight sheet retaining prongs secured to said frames, and in one pivotal position of said frames extending in substantially a single plane, and in another in two separate planes, a pair of opposed slides, pivotally connected to said frames respectively, means for holding said prongs substantially in a single plane during movement of said frames towards and away from each other, and a lever for releasing said holding means to permit swinging movement of said frames and corresponding movement of said prongs into two separate planes, when said frames are in their furthest position apart, said lever in releasing position lying between said slides in the path of slide movement thereof, to lock said slides against movement towards each other, and in opposite position being out of said path to permit said latter movement.

12. A loose leaf binder comprising a, non-extensible back, a pair of covers hinged to said back, a pair of opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs mounted for pivotal movement, and for substantially translatory movement towards and away from each other, and means interconnecting said two rows of prongs for correlated simultaneous pivotal movement in opposite directions.

13. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder comprising a pair of substantially parallel prong bar frames, pivotally supported for swinging movement about their longitudinal axes, sheet retaining prongs secured to said frames, and means for interconnecting said frames for correlated simultaneous pivotal movement in 0pposite directions, and including connector bars pivotally connected to said frames respectively, and a guide member for said bars.

14. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder comprising a pair of substantially parallel prong bar frames, pivotally supported for swinging movement about their longitudinal axes, sheet retaining prongs secured to said frames,

ioi

and means for interconnecting said frames for correlated simultaneous pivotal movement in opposite directions, and including connector bars, pivotally connected at their outer ends to said frames by miter hinges respectively, and a guide member for slide movement of said bars interconnecting said bars for turning movement thereof in unison.

15. A loose leaf binder comprising a nonextensible back, a pair of covers hinged to said back, a pair of opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs, mounted for pivotal movement, and for substantially translatory movement towards and away from each other, means interconnecting said two rows of prongs for correlated simultaneous pivotal movement in opposite directions, and releasable holding means engaging said interconnecting means to prevent operations thereof, whereby said prongs are held against pivotal movement.

16. A loose leaf binder comprising a nonextensible back, a pair of covers hinged to said back, a pair of opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs, mounted for pivotal movement into substantially a single plane or into two separate planes, and mounted for substantially translatory movement towards and away from each other in said single plane, means interconnecting said two rows of prongs for correlated simultaneous pivotal movement in opposite directions, and latch means engaging said interconnecting means to prevent operations thereof when said prongs are swung into single plane position.

17. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder comprising a pair of substantially parallel pivotally supported elongated prong frames, transversely movable towards and away from each other, sheet retaining prongs on said frames adapted in one pivotal position of said frames to lie substantally in a single plane, and in another pivotal position to lie in two separate planes, means interconnecting said frames for correlated simultaneous pivotal movement in opposite directions, latch means engaging said interconnecting means to prevent operations thereof when said prongs are swung into a single plane position, means for releasing said latch means to permit swinging movement of said frames, and means automatically operable when said releasing means are in releasing position, for looking said frames against transverse movement towards each other.

18. A sheet retaining device for a loose leaf binder comprising two opposed rows of substantially straight sheet retaining prongs, pivotally mounted to swing in substantially a single plane or into two separate planes, and movable towards and away from each other substantially in said single plane, toggle means for holding said prongs against swinging movement during their single plane movement, and a toggle lever for releasing said holding means.

. 19. A loose leaf binder comprising a back, a pair of covers hinged to said back, two opposed rows of pivotally mounted sheet retaining prongs normally extending across said back, said covers being free to open and close while said prongs are in said normal position, and means for automatically locking said covers in open position when said prongs are angularly raised from said normal position.

20. A loose leaf binder comprising a substantially flat non-extensible back, a pair of substantially flat covers hinged to said back and adapted to lie substantially in the same plane as said back in open position of said binder, a pair of opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs mounted for pivotal movement and for substantially translatory movement towards and away from each other, and means interconnecting said two rows of prongs for correlated simultaneous pivotal movement in opposite directions, said correlated movement of the prongs being effected while said back and said covers remain in substantially coplanar open relationship and while the angular relationship of said back and said covers remains unchanged.

21. A loose leaf binder comprising a nonextensible back, a pair of covers hinged thereto, two opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs normally extending in the same plane and mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said back, means guiding said prongs for endwise movement in said plane, and means for interconnecting said two rows of prongs for correlated simultaneous pivotal movement in opposite directions with respect to said back. a

22. A loose leaf binder comprising a back, a pair of covers hinged thereto, two opposed rows of sheet retaining prongs normally extending in the same plane and mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said back, means automatically responsive to the opening movement of one of said hinged covers for moving said prongs substantially endwise in said plane to afiord extra space for the sheets on said prongs, and means for interconnecting said two rows of prongs for correlated simultaneous pivotal movement in opposite directions with respect to said back, while said covers are in open position.

CLARENCE W. VOGT. EINO E. LAKSO. 

